Kolkata: In a major breakthrough in the anti-Maoist campaign, West Bengal Police have arrested Asim Mandal, described as the last surviving Maoist Central Committee member. Mandal was taken into custody from East Midnapore district after remaining on the run for more than 15 years.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the arrest on Thursday and praised the state police for tracking down the Maoist leader through technical intelligence and coordinated operations.
Adhikari said the government would not allow any attempt to revive or expand Maoist activities in West Bengal. He stressed that extremist activities would not be permitted to threaten public safety or disrupt the state’s development.
Mandal carried ₹1 crore bounty
Mandal had been among the most-wanted Maoist leaders operating across the forest belts of eastern India. In August, Jharkhand Police announced a combined reward of ₹1.34 crore for information on six Maoists, including Mandal. A ₹1 crore bounty had been announced for information leading to his whereabouts.
Investigators believed the group had moved out of West Singhbhum and taken shelter in areas of East Singhbhum and adjoining districts of West Bengal, including Purulia, Jhargram and West Midnapore.
Arrest follows intensified anti-Maoist operations
The latest arrest comes amid intensified operations by security forces in Jharkhand and West Bengal.Maoist Politburo member Misir Besra, who carried a ₹2 crore bounty, was arrested in Dhanbad on July 28. Following his arrest, Jharkhand Police had indicated that Mandal could also be traced soon.
The crackdown also resulted in the deaths of Maoist Central Committee member Patiram Majhi, Lalchand Hembram and several other cadres. A large number of Maoists have also surrendered. West Singhbhum was declared Maoist-free in August.
Security forces tracking remaining cadres
Police forces from Jharkhand and West Bengal, along with central paramilitary personnel, had been conducting operations to track down the remaining senior Maoist leaders. According to figures released by Jharkhand Police last month, 18 Maoists were still at large. Between January and August, 113 Maoists were arrested, 50 surrendered and 22 were killed in the state.
Centre’s anti-Naxal push
Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament earlier this year that the government’s March 31 deadline for ending Left-wing extremism across the country had been achieved. According to figures cited by Shah, intensified anti-Maoist operations over three years resulted in 4,839 Maoists surrendering, 706 being killed and 2,218 being arrested and sent to jail.
